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July 16, 2012

G90: Red Sox 5, White Sox 1

Adrian Gonzalez's three-run opposite-field home run in the eighth inning snapped a 1-1 tie. He finished the game with two hits and four RBI.

David Ortiz singled in the first and walked in the eighth - and became the first player in Red Sox history (since at least 1918) to have at least one hit and walk in 10 consecutive games.

Carl Crawford, playing in his first game of 2012, began both Boston rallies. With one out in the first, he singled up the middle, was off with the pitch and raced to third on Ortiz's hit, and scored on Gonzalez's liner to right.

Crawford began the eighth with a five-pitch walk against Leyson Septimo. Ortiz also worked a five-pitch walk and Gonzalez drove a 2-1 pitch into the Monster Seats in left center. After a pitching change, Cody Ross singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Mike Aviles's single.

Aaron Cook (7-5-1-0-0, 97) allowed an unearned run in the first inning. Kevin Youkilis - who had three of Chicago's five hits - singled. He took second on Adam Dunn's groundout to second and, when he saw that the entire left side of the infield was empty (because of the shift on Dunn), sprinted for third. Gonzalez's throw to Will Middlebrooks was wild, and Youkilis scored. It was the only time the White Sox got a runner past second base. (Yook also doubled in both the third and sixth innings.)

Crawford underwent wrist surgery in January, then sprained the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow during spring training. In an 11-game rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast Sox, Portland, and Pawtucket, Crawford batted .306 (11-for-36) with an on-base percentage of .432.

(In his last 17 games, Daniel Nava is hitting a paltry .127 with a .501 OPS.)

Today is also the return to Fenway Park of Kevin Youkilis, who was traded to the White Sox on June 24. In 16 games with Chicago, Yook is hitting .295/.397/.475.

It has been an honor and a privilege to play every home game of my career in Boston before a sold out Fenway Park. I would like to thank everyone who gave me an opportunity in Boston, and stood behind me through all these years. To the Spinners, the Sea Dogs, the PawSox, and to all those teammates on the Red Sox since 2004, I am forever grateful. ...

And, last but no means least, to all the Red Sox Nation, the home of the most dedicated and knowledgeable fans in baseball, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. That final game at Fenway was the most emotional day of my life on the baseball field. It could not have been scripted any better. And to all those kids out there in Red Sox Nation, I can give you my Dad’s advice. "Life is like a throw to first base, always aim high."